Garment hanger stand



April 24, 1951 N. HARTLEY GARMENT HANGER STAND Filed Nov. 28, 1949 ,lnVllUu UVMMVIMVV lllllllllllllllll Il Patented Apr. 24, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GARMENT HANGER STAND Nelson Hartley, Baltimore, Md. Application November 28, 1949, Serial No. 129,747

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a garment hanger stand, and more particularly to a garment hanger stand which is constructed and arranged and adapted to be positioned in the space between the front and rear seats of an automobile.

A great number of the people who travel carry garments and wearing apparel along with them in their automobiles. When garments or Wearing apparel are packed in grips or traveling luggage, it frequently happens that they develop creases and wrinkles, necessitating pressing before they can be used again. Laying the garments out upon the rear seat of the automobile is unsatisfactory because the lower ones are often crushed, and also, because of operation of the automobile, such laid out garments are caused to move relative to each other and often results in some of the garments ending up in a corner of the seat or upon the floor of the automobile, becoming messed, or soiled and also wrinkled.

Hanger hooks, or hanger bars have heretofore been used in automobiles. However, these devices have been unsatisfactory because the hooks extend but a short distance outwardly from the side of the car and hence their capacity is limited. Furthermore, garments suspended on such hooks become crushed and/or lwrinkled because of lack of space for free, unhampered suspension. Hanger bars have also been used in automobiles and usually extend across the width of the rear seat of an automobile and are unsatisfactory in that the garments that hang from the bar usually are long enough to reach the seat and therefore the free hang of these garments is obstructed. Garments hanging from a bar must be folded at their lower ends to lay on the seat, and this often results in crushing and wrinkling of the garment.

A further undesirable feature of the hanger bar is that after the automobile has traveled around a few curves, the centrifugal force will have spread the garments all along the length of the hanger bar and the View through the rear window, which should be kept clear for safe driving, will have been obscured.

Thus, one of the objects of this invention is to provide a novel garment hanger stand for use in an automobile, that will have the capacity to carry a relatively large number of garments or articles of wearing apparel in a manner to avoid crushing and wrinkling.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel garment hanger stand for use in an autcmobile which provides for the free, unob- 2 structed hanging of long garments and garment bags.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel garment hanger stand for use in an automobile which in use will result in the garments being kept clean, pressed, and ready to wear.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a garment hanger stand, for use in an automobile, which can be tted into most automobiles.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a garment hanger stand for use in an automobile which, in use, will permit the driver to maintain his view through the rear window of the automobile.

An additional and further object of this invention is to provide a novel garment hanger stand which may be used both in an automobile and at home where closet space is not available.

A still additional object of this invention is to provide a garment hanger stand which is du rable, emcient for the intended purpose, inexpensive, easily manufactured, and which may be quickly and easily disassembled for convenient storage.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the following description rproceeds and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this specification.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a side view of the garment hanger stand with a portion in section to show details of construction;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the garment hanger stand;

Figure 3 is another upright view of the garment hanger stand and is taken from the right hand side of the view shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows in a side view, the garment hanger stand shown positioned in use in an automobile;

Figure 5 shows a side view of the garment hanger stand in an alternate position in use in an automobile;

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the connection between the upright support and the base of the garment hanger stand; and

Figure 7 is a View looking towards the back of the front seat from the rear .seat of the automobile, and shows more clearly the location of the garment hanger stand within the automobile.

The garment hanger stand is shown adjacent the left hand side oi the automobile, but it could just as easily be positioned adjacent the right hand side oi the automobile.

Referring to Figures l and 2, the garment hanger stand is shown as having a base Ii and an upright support or standard I2. The base I l consists of a pair of tubular members i3, each open at both ends, and a cross-member Id which joins the pair of tubular members i3. The cross member Iii is rigidly secured to the members i preferably by welding, and in such a manner as not to obstruct the tubular passageway through the tubular members I3.

The upright support I2 comprises a tubular member i5, which is detachably secured to the cross-member I4. Cross-member I4 has an upwardly extending nipple I Welded thereto, centrally of its length. A coupler I1 is connected to nipple i6 and the tubular member l is connected to the coupler I1. At least one of the connections between tubular member I5 and coupler I1, and between coupler I1 and nipple I is threaded to provide for quickly disconnecting the upright support I2 from the base I i. In the preferable adaptation shown in Figure 6, the coupler if. is welded to the nipple I and the tubular member I5 is screwed into collar I1.

Telescopically mounted within tubular member I5 is a support rod i8. The upper portion of support rod I8 is bent over to form a horizontally extending support arm IS. The vertical portion of the support rod I8 is provided with a plurality of vertically spaced apart holes 2t, therethrough, A removable pin 2 l, extending through one of the holes 2%, bears against the upper end of tubular member i5 to prevent further telescoping of the support rod i5 within the member I5.

Tubular member I5 has a threaded hole 22 or receiving a thumb screw 23. The shank or thumb l screw 23 is threaded through the wall of member I5 and bears against the support rod i8 to rmly clamp said support rod I8 against the wall or tubular member i5. rhumb screw 23, when bearing against support rod I8, prevents both telescopic movement and rotary movement of rod I8 within said member I5. A rubber sleeve 2d is mounted adjacent the upper end of the tubular member i5 and provides a grip for 'conveniently carrying the garment hanger stand, and also serves as a guard to cushion possibie contact with the back of the front seat of the automobile, when the stand is positioned as seen in Figure 4.

The upper surface of the horizontally extending arm IS is provided with a plurality of notches 2E, for receiving and positioning hanger hooks (as shown in the dashed-line view in Figure l).

Referring again to the hanger stand base I I, a pair of rods 21 are telescopically positioned in one end of the pair of tubular members i3. The extended ends of rods 21 are provided with rubber caps 28. A threaded hole 2S is provided adjacent each end of the inner side of each tubular member I3. Thumb screw 3G through threaded hole 29, adjacent the cross-member i4, to bear against rod 21 to clamp rod 21 against the wall of tubular member I3 when the parts are assembled, as seen in Figures l to 4. The rods 21 may also be telescoped in the other end of said tubular members I3, as seen in Figure 5, and in which case the thumb screws B are then positioned in the holes 2S at the other ends of said tubular members I3.

In use, the garment hanger stand is mounted between the seats of an automobile and on to the fil side, adjacent one of the walls of the body of the automobile, as seen in Figures 4 and 7. The size o the base II may be adjusted in one direction and as shown, the distance between centers of the tubular members I3 is preferably in the range or about 181/2 inches. This size is small enough so that when the stand is at one side of the automobile, anything hung from the support arm I9 will be out of the line of vision through the rear window or the automobile, and hence the view will not be obstructed.

shown in Figures 4 and 5, the telescoping rods 21 are extended so as to position the free ends under the foot rest 3 I, mounted on the back of the front seat of the automobile. The extended end of the rods 21 butts against the front seat support while the opposite ends of the tubular members I3 butt against the base of rear seat support. By tightening thumb screw 30, the stand is rmly clamped in position between the seats. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the stand may be disposed in either of two preferred positions within the automobile. It will be appreciated that if the clamping rod 21 works loose from the front seat support, the stand is still prevented from overturning by the foot rest, mounted on the back of the front seat.

A further suggested arrangement of use of the stand is to hang the garments upon the support arm i3 and then lift both the telescoping support rod i8 and support arm I9 until a portion of support arm i9 butts against the roof of the body. Then, by means of thumb screw 23, the support rod I8 may be rmly clamped in position. The floor and roof of the body then act as clamping members to x the garment hanger stand in position.

While I have shown in dotted lines, a garment bag suspended on the stand, obviously, if desired, any number of single garments may be suspended on the support arm.

When not in'use, the upright support I2 may be disconnected from the `coupler I1, and the base iI and support I2 are telescoped for easy and convenient storage, such as in the trunk of the automobile.

While there has been shown and described a particular embodiment of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention and, therefore, it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modications as fall withing the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A garment hanger stand for use in an automobile having a floor, a front seat, e reaipseat spaced from said front seat, and supports for said seats; said garment hanger stand comprising a base, an upwardly extending support mounted on said base, a horizontally extending support arm on the upwardly extending support, an extension member telescopically mounted on the f base for substantially horizontal extension, Said base being adapted for positioning on the automobile floor between the seats and butting against the rear seat support, and said extension member butting against the front seat support so as to nx the garment hanger stand in position within the automobile.

2. A garment hanger stand for use with an automobile having a floor, a front seat, a rear seat spaced from said front seat, and a foot rest mounted on the rear of the front seat and spaced from the floor; said garment hanger stand comprising a base, an upwardly extending support mounted on said base, a horizontally extending support arm on the upwardly extending support, an extension member telescopically mounted on the base for substantially horizontal extension, said base being positioned on the automobile floor between the seats and butting against the rear seat support, and said extension member extending along the floor and underneath the foot rest mounted on the rear of the front seat so as to keep the garment hanger stand in position within the automobile.

3. A garment hanger stand comprising a pair of spaced, parallel tubular legs, a cross-member joining the pair of tubular legs, extensionk members telescopically mounted within said tubular legs, means for firmly securing the extension members and tubular legs in a desired position of telescopic adjustment, an upwardly extending support mounted on said cross-member, and a horizontally extending arm on the upwardly extending support, said arm being provided with a plurality of spaced apart seats adapted to receive and position garment-type hangers.

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4. A garment hanger stand comprising a pair of spaced tubular legs, a cross-member joining the pair of tubular legs, a pair of extension members, said tubular legs being adapted to telescopically receive in either end said extension members, means for securing the tubular legs and the extension members in a desired position of telescopic adjustment, an upwardly extending support mounted on said cross-member, and a horizontally extending support arm on the upwardly extending support, said support arm having means thereon adapted to receive and position garment-type hangers.

5. A garment hanger stand comprising' a pair of spaced, tubular legs, a cross-member joining the pair of tubular legs, extension members telescopically mounted within tubular legs, means for securing the tubular legs and the extension members in iixed position of adjustment, an upwardly extending tubular member detachably mounted on said cross-member. a support rod telescopically mounted within the tubular member, means for securing said arm at a desired position of adjustment in said tubular member, and a horizontally extending support arm on the support rod, said support arm being provided with a plurality of spaced apart seats adapted to receive and position garment-type hangers.

6. A garment hanger stand comprising a base member having a pair of parallel tubular legs, a cross member joining the pair of parallel tubular legs, extension members telescopically mounted within said tubular legs, means for securing the tubular legs and the extension members in iixed position of adjustment, an upwardly extending tubular member detachably mounted on said cross-member, and a horizontally extending support arm on the upwardly extending support, said support arm being provided with a plurality of spaced apart seats to receive and position garment-type hangers.

7. A garment hangerstand comprising a base member having a pair of spaced apart, parallel tubular legs, a cross member joining the pair of tubular legs, extension members telescopically mounted within said tubular legs, means for securing the tubular legs and the extension members in xed position of adjustment, an upwardly extending tubular member mounted on said cross-member, a support rod telescopically mounted within the tubular member, and a support arm on the support rod and extending in a lateral direction, said support arm being -provided with spaced seats adapted to receive and position garment-type hangers, saidsupport arm extending parallel to the tubular legs and over the center of gravity of the base member to insure stabilized support for the stand with garments suspended thereon.

`8. A garment hanger stand comprising a pair of spaced apart tubular legs, a cross member joining the pair of tubular legs, extension members telescopically mounted within said tubular legs, means for securing the tubular legs and the extension members in xed position of adjustment, an upwardly extending tubular member mounted on said cross-member, a support rod telescopically mounted within said tubular member, means for securing the support rod and the tubular member'r in fixed position of vertical adjustment, and a horizontally extending support arm on the support rod, said support arm being formed to receive and position garment-type hangers.

9. A garment hanger stand for use with an automobile having a floor, a front seat, a rear seat spaced from said front seat, a foot rest mounted on the rear of the front seat and spaced from the floor, and supports for said seats; said garment hanger stand comprising a base member having a pair of parallel, spaced apart tubular legs, av cross-member joining the pair of tubular legs, extension members telescopically mounted within said tubular legs, means for securing the tubular legs and the extension members in iixed position of adjustment, an upwardly extending tubular member detachably mounted on said cross-member, a support rod telescopically mounted within said tubular member, the upper portion of the support rod being bent over to form a laterally extending support arm, said support arm having spaced seats therein adapted to receive and position garment-type hangers, said support arm extending parallel to the tubular legs and over the center of gravity of the base member, means for securing the support rod and the tubular member in fixed position of vertical adjustment, said tubular legs being adapted for butting against the rear seat support, said extension members being adapted for extending along the door and underneath the foot rest mounted on the rear of the front seat, and at least one of said extension members being adapted for butting against the front seat support so as to fix the garment hanger stand in position within the automobile.

10. A garment hanger stand comprising a tubular frame base, an upwardly extending tubular member mounted on said base, a support rod telescopically mounted within said tubular member, the upper portion of said support being bent over to form a laterally extending support arm, said support arm rhaving means thereon adapted to receivek and position garment-type hangers, and extension members telescopically mounted within said tubular frame base for varying the effective size thereof.

11. A garment hanger stand for use in an automobile having a floor, a front seat, a rear seat spaced from said front seat, and supports for said seats; said garment hanger stand comprising a base, an upwardly extending support mounted on said base, a horizontally extending support arm on the upwardly extending support, an extension member telescopically mounted on the base for substantially horizontal extension, said base with said extension being adapted for positioning on the automobile floor between the seats and abutting against the rear seat support and the front seat support so as to x the garment hanger stand in position within the automobile.

NELSON HARTLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Cleary et al. Y Feb. 24, 1914 Dunn Dec. 21, 1920 Ettinger May 29, 1934 Sturk Jan. 10, 1950 Moltrup Jan. 6, 1950 Ostrow July 11, 1950 

